γ -Aminobutyric acid is a non - protein synthetic Amino Acid widely distributed in nature. γ -aminobutyric acid was found in higher concentrations in different brain regions. In addition, gamma-aminobutyric acid is also rich in a variety of different foods such as green tea, soy, germinated brown rice, yogurt and so on. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is l-glutamic acid produced by glutamic acid decarboxylase. In the central nervous system, newly synthesized gamma-aminobutyric acid is packaged into synaptic vesicles and released into the synaptic cleft, eventually into the postsynaptic membrane to bind to receptors. There are two γ aminobutyric acid receptors, γ aminobutyric acid A receptor and γ aminobutyric acid B receptor. Gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptor is A gamma-aminobutyric acid gated chloride channel located in the postsynaptic membrane, while gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor is A G protein-coupled receptor in both the presynaptic membrane and the thick membrane. Recent studies have shown that gamma-aminobutyric acid is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in central nervous system.
At present, there are many studies show that gamma-aminobutyric acid has many protective effects on the human nervous system and peripheral tissues and organs, including neuroprotective effect, prevention of neurological abnormalities, anti-high pressure effect, anti-diabetes effect, anti-tumor effect, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergy, liver protection, kidney protection, intestinal protection and so on. Studies have shown that gamma-aminobutyric acid has a protective effect on neurodegeneration caused by toxins and trauma. For example, it has been reported that gamma-aminobutyric acid rich chick milk can protect neuroendocrine cells PC-12 from MnCl2-induced damage, improve cell vitality and reduce the release of lactate dehydrogenase. On the other hand, some researchers have shown that gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonists have a protective effect on ischemic brain injury. Both gamma-aminobutyric acid A and gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonists can significantly reduce ischemic neuronal death. In addition, γ aminobutyric acid B receptor agonists can significantly reduce neuronal injury and inhibit cell injury autophagy by upregulating bcl-2 /Bax ratio and activating Akt, GSK-3 β and ERK signaling pathways.
In addition, Yamatsu et al. pointed out in 2016 that oral gamma-aminobutyric acid formulation can reduce the incidence of insomnia, prolong sleep time, improve sleep quality, improve memory, etc.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid inhibits the release of GnRH in the central nervous system at the beginning of childhood sexual development. In addition, gamma-aminobutyric acid has many protective effects on the nervous system and peripheral system. One study showed that taking gamma-aminobutyric acid orally can effectively improve sleep. For children, the onset of normal sexual development is the key to normal child development; In addition, adequate sleep time is also crucial for children's height, because human growth hormone pulse secretion peaks at night, so appropriate gamma-aminobutyric acid supplementation is beneficial for children's normal development and height.
